For more information about the Anti-Violence Project and to find a full copy
of the State of Violence Report, visit www.equalityvirginia.org/avp or call
804.643.4816.

-------------------
Equality Virginia Education Fund Releases Report On Violence In Virginia's
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Anti-Violence Project
calls attention to experiences of violence, gap in services

Richmond- Equality Virginia Education Fund's Anti-Violence Project released
its State of Violence Report today providing the first ever comprehensive
look into experiences of violence in Virginia's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) communities.

The report details the findings of a ten month study by the Anti-Violence
Project that found experiences of violence present across the diverse
spectrum of GLBT Virginians.

"Our study found a broad range of individual experiences, and outlines the
gaps in services to GLBT Virginians," said Dyana Mason, Equality Virginia
Executive Director. "As has been reported in other communities across
Virginia, violence is an underreported, significant problem in our community
that must be addressed. Unfortunately, the report reveals that while there
are more than 60 Virginia-based organizations committed to working with
women and children who experience sexual and/or domestic violence, there are
no organizations in Virginia, beyond our AVP, solely committed to working
with GLBT survivors of violence."

The report documents that domestic violence occurs in GLBT relationships at
similar rates as in heterosexual non-transgender relationships; however,
there are fewer resources available to GLBT survivors. Sexual violence,
while underreported across all demographics, impacts GLBT people as often as
is reported by non-GLBT people. Unfortunately, support groups and other
conventional victim services have historically not been readily available to
GLBT survivors of sexual assault. The "State of Violence" study found that
less than five of the 59 sexual assault crisis centers and domestic violence
programs in Virginia had knowingly served any GLBT people in the twelve
months prior to the interview. Only a third of the 29 GLBT organizations
interviewed provided materials on sexual and intimate partner violence for
community members to utilize.

"The GLBT community in Virginia depends primarily on friends, relatives, and
therapists for support after experiencing violence. Unfortunately, for many
survivors, those they turn to aren't adequately equipped to support them in
affirming and empowering ways" noted Quillin Drew, Anti-Violence Project
Manager. "We are working to enhance the abilities of community members and
local organizations to respond to the unique needs of GLBT survivors of
violence."

Further, while Virginia does not include sexual violence or gender identity
in its hate crime statutes, 50% of respondents to the AVP survey reported
experiencing hate violence or harassment based on sexual orientation and 10%
reported experiencing violence based on their gender identity. Only 16% of
these respondents reported the offense to law enforcement personnel. One
respondent wrote this when asked about hate violence against GLBT people:
"This is sadly "normal" for too many people I know who are LGBT. What makes
it worse is the [sic] most of the time, people don't report these incidents
because they think no one will care, and thus, no one will care to do
anything about it."

The "State of Violence" offers recommendations based on study findings to
improve and increase services available to GLBT survivors of violence. The
Anti-Violence Project, currently supported through grant funding by the
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, seeks to increase GLBT
community awareness about responding to violence, enhance the abilities of
sexual and domestic violence agencies to serve GLBT survivors, and identify
ways to more effectively utilize the criminal justice system across the
Commonwealth.

This 60-page report examines data collected from nearly 1000 gay, lesbian,
bisexual, or transgender people in Virginia over a ten month period from
June 2007 to March 2008 based on commonly used non-random targeted sampling
methodologies. When working with marginalized populations and small
communities these methodologies offer increased participation by diverse
GLBT respondents. Additional information was gathered through interviews
with representatives of sexual assault crisis centers, domestic violence
programs, and GLBT community and advocacy organizations.

###

Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach and
advocacy organization seeking equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender Virginians. EV works each day to protect families, end
discrimination, and build safe communities. This year marks the 20th
anniversary of the founding of Equality Virginia as Virginians for Justice.

For more information about the Anti-Violence Project and to find a full copy
of the State of Violence Report, visit www.equalityvirginia.org/avp or call
804.643.4816.